San Francisco fact or fiction

So, you think you know San Francisco? Sometimes it can be tough to separate fact from city barstool legend. Test your knowledge with these common S.F. urban legends and their veracity. Did we miss any? Leave them in the comments.

Claim: San Francisco is the only major U.S. city never to reach 100 degrees.

Claim: San Francisco is the only major U.S. city never to reach 100 degrees.

Photo: Laura Morton, Special To The Chronicle

Claim: San Francisco is the only major U.S. city never to reach 100... Photo-5157985.69820 - SFGate

Image 7 of 43

FICTION. S.F. has hit a high of 103 degrees twice, most recently on June 14, 2000. Buffalo, N.Y., has never hit 100 degrees.

FICTION. S.F. has hit a high of 103 degrees twice, most recently on June 14, 2000. Buffalo, N.Y., has never hit 100 degrees.

Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle

FICTION. S.F. has hit a high of 103 degrees twice, most recently on... Photo-5157986.69820 - SFGate

Image 8 of 43

Claim: A man was killed by a rising piano at the Condor Club in North Beach (seen here with the legendary Carol Doda).

Claim: A man was killed by a rising piano at the Condor Club in North Beach (seen here with the legendary Carol Doda).

Photo: Max A. Guttierez, The Chronicle

Claim: A man was killed by a rising piano at the Condor Club in... Photo-5157987.69820 - SFGate

Image 9 of 43

FACT. In 1983, bouncer Jimmy Ferrozzo was having relations with his girlfriend on top of the piano when the lift was activated and the piano rose to the ceiling. The bouncer was killed but his girlfriend Theresa Hill survived, pinned underneath him. Now, a drink called Sex on the Piano honors Ferrozzo's memory. less

FACT. In 1983, bouncer Jimmy Ferrozzo was having relations with his girlfriend on top of the piano when the lift was activated and the piano rose to the ceiling. The bouncer was killed but his girlfriend ... more

FICTION. Technically. The drink was being served at the Shannon Airport in western Ireland when Chronicle travel writer Stanton Delaplane sampled it and helped re-create it at the Buena Vista in S.F. in 1952.

FICTION. Technically. The drink was being served at the Shannon Airport in western Ireland when Chronicle travel writer Stanton Delaplane sampled it and helped re-create it at the Buena Vista in S.F. in 1952.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

FICTION. Technically. The drink was being served at the Shannon... Photo-5157990.69820 - SFGate

Image 13 of 43

Claim: There are dead bodies under the California Palace of the Legion of Honor.

Claim: There are dead bodies under the California Palace of the Legion of Honor.

Photo: Stephanie Wright Hession, Stephanie Wright Hession

Claim: There are dead bodies under the California Palace of the... Photo-5157991.69820 - SFGate

Image 14 of 43

FACT. During a retrofit in 1994, officials discovered about 800 bodies, believed to be interred in the 1800s. The bodies were believed to be of poor S.F. residents buried in a pauper's graveyard and some were excavated, but others left behind. less

FACT. During a retrofit in 1994, officials discovered about 800 bodies, believed to be interred in the 1800s. The bodies were believed to be of poor S.F. residents buried in a pauper's graveyard and some were ... more

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

FACT. During a retrofit in 1994, officials discovered about 800... Photo-5157992.69820 - SFGate

FACT. Mark Twain named his most famous character after S.F. volunteer firefighter Tom Sawyer. Twain was drinking buddies with Sawyer, who had many adventures and helped save dozens of people on a steamship.

FACT. Mark Twain named his most famous character after S.F. volunteer firefighter Tom Sawyer. Twain was drinking buddies with Sawyer, who had many adventures and helped save dozens of people on a steamship.

Photo: File, Getty Images

FACT. Mark Twain named his most famous character after S.F.... Photo-5158004.69820 - SFGate

Image 30 of 43

Taboola Gallery Frame Item-85307.69820 - SFGate

Image 31 of 43

Claim: There’s a body entombed in one of the Golden Gate Bridge’s concrete supports.

Claim: There’s a body entombed in one of the Golden Gate Bridge’s concrete supports.

Photo: Russell Yip, The Chronicle

Claim: There’s a body entombed in one of the Golden Gate... Photo-5158005.69820 - SFGate

Image 32 of 43

FICTION. Though 11 workers died in the building of the bridge, none are laid to rest in the bridge itself.

FICTION. Though 11 workers died in the building of the bridge, none are laid to rest in the bridge itself.

Photo: File, The Chronicle

FICTION. Though 11 workers died in the building of the bridge, none... Photo-5158006.69820 - SFGate

Image 33 of 43

Claim: Dogs outnumber children in San Francisco.

Claim: Dogs outnumber children in San Francisco.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

Claim: Dogs outnumber children in San Francisco. Photo-5158011.69820 - SFGate

Image 34 of 43

FACT. The hard numbers vary, but the SPCA and the census agree that canines are more common that kids in S.F.

FACT. The hard numbers vary, but the SPCA and the census agree that canines are more common that kids in S.F.

Photo: Pete Kiehart, The Chronicle

FACT. The hard numbers vary, but the SPCA and the census agree that... Photo-5158012.69820 - SFGate

Image 35 of 43

Taboola Gallery Frame Item-85307.69820 - SFGate

Image 36 of 43

Claim: The madam of a popular San Francisco brothel became the beloved mayor of Sausalito.

Claim: The madam of a popular San Francisco brothel became the beloved mayor of Sausalito.

Photo: Bill Young, San Francisco Chronicle

Claim: The madam of a popular San Francisco brothel became the... Photo-5158009.69820 - SFGate

Image 37 of 43

FACT. Sally Stanford, proprietor of a brothel in Nob Hill in the 1940s, became mayor of Sausalito in 1976.

FACT. Sally Stanford, proprietor of a brothel in Nob Hill in the 1940s, became mayor of Sausalito in 1976.

FICTION. This legend of Candlestick wind is overblown. Miller told the Associated Press in 2007 that he merely 'waved like a tree' a little in the wind, but the ump still called the balk that led to a key run.

FICTION. This legend of Candlestick wind is overblown. Miller told the Associated Press in 2007 that he merely 'waved like a tree' a little in the wind, but the ump still called the balk that led to a key run.